Box-shell-feeding means for box-covering machines.



E. G. RIDER.

BOX SHELL FEEDING MEANS FOR BOX COVERING MACHINES.

Patented Feb. 25, 1919.

2 SHEETS-SI'IEET I.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. I5. I9I6.

E. G. RIDER.

- BOX sum FEEDING MEANS ron BOX comma rvmcmuss. 1,95,602.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. f5, I9l6.

Patented Feb. 25, 1919.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

i HIHIIHIHHIHI m. M av w ERNEST Gr. RIDER, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO STOKES SMITH COMPANY, OF SUMMERDALE, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

BOX-SHELL-FEEDING- MEANS FOR BOX-COVERING MACHINES.

Application filed November 15, 1916. Serial No. 131,444.

' of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania,

have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Box-Shell-FeedmgMeans for Box-Covering Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My present invention relates generally to box covering machines of that type wherein a covering sheet or blank is folded about the outer walls of a box-shell and secured there to by adhesive, and more particularly the invention relates to' a means for automatically feeding the box-shells or blanks to be covered directly into the machine.

The box-shell feeding means of the present invention is especially applicable to boxcovering machines of that type wherein a box-form is employed for carrying the boxshell together with its covering blank or wrapper into cooperative association with the instrumentalities for folding the covering blank or wrapper about the outer walls of the box-shell and affixing the same thereto by adhesive, such for instance as the covering machines shown and described in Patents Nos. 691,329 dated January 14th, 1902; 778,805 dated December 27th, 1904; and 912,745 and 912,746 dated December 16th, 1909, although it is to be understood that the box-shell feeding means referred to may be employed in connection with any type of covering mechanism wherein-a box-form is employed to carry the box-shell to be covered into cooperative association with the cover applying.instrumentalities, the present showing and application of the invention being merely by way of illustration.

In box covering machines of the type referred to, it has been the practice heretofore to place the box-shells upon the box-form by hand, although it has been proposed in some instances to feed the box-shells into the machine in position to be entered by the boxform during the movement of the latter toward the cover-applying instrumentalities. The first mentionedmethod, namely, that of placing the box-shells upon the box-form. by

hand, is not entirely satisfactory, because I such operation is somewhat slow and tedious, and therefore reduces the output of the machine, and is further open to the ob ect1on that accidents are likely to ocou'r to the hands of the operator during the application of the box-shells to the box-form, especially if the operators are careless or inexpenenced. The second named method has not proved to be satisfactory because of the difiiculty of properly centering and maintaining the box-shells in an accurately registered position below the box-form so that the latter will always enter the box-shell without engaging and thereby breaking a wall or walls thereof.

According to the present invention, I provide means for feeding the box-shells into the machine,.and for placing or fitting them directly upon the box-form, the said boxshell feeding means being preferably operated from a moving part of the box-covering machine and operative in timed relation with the movements of the box-form so that the operations of feeding and covering the boxshells may be performed automatically and Specification of Letters Patent. V l atented Feb. 25, 1919.

in timed relation one with the other, to the end that the daily output of the machine will be materially increased.

Broadly and generally stated, the invention comprises in combination, a box-form, and means for automatically placing or fit Y ting a box-shell thereupon.

More specifically stated, the. invention embodies, in combination, a movable box-form for supporting a box to be covered, cover applying instrumentalities into which the said form is adapted to carry the box-shell and its covering Wrapper to have the latter applied thereto, and means for bodily transporting the box-shell toward the box-formv with a wall of the shell in position to engage a wall of'the form in such a way that when.

the wall of the shell engages the wall of the form, the shell will be moved directly upon the form automatically and without the aid of hand operation.

In order to enable others skilled in the art to understand, construct and use my said invention, I will now proceed to describe one embodiment thereof in detail, reference being had for this purpose to the accompanying drawings, wherein,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a portion of a known formof box covering machine having my improved boxshell feeding means associated therewith.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same.

Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the box-supporting and advancing means.

Fi i is an enlar ed view showin a box- C; C D

members or blocks.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of one of the box-supporting members or blocks.

Fig. 6 is a similar view looking at the opposite face of the block from that illustrated in Fig.

Fig. 7 is a vertical sectional view taken through one of the blocks to show the yielding means for engaging a wall of the b0 shell.

Fig. 8 is an inverted transverse section taken on the line 8--S, Fig. 8.

Fig. 9 is a side elevation partly in section showing the manner or" supporting an unstayed box-shell.

Fig. 10 is a side elevation showing the relative positions of the box-form and boxshell during advancing movement of the latter and just prior to the entering of the shell onto the form.

Fig. 11 is a similar view showing the position of the parts at'ter assembly and just prior to the lifting of the box-shell onto the form.

Fig. 12 is a side elevation showing the box-shell fitted to the box form.

Fig. 13 is a view of the box-form showing how the box shell retaining clips hold the shell thereupon.

My improved box-feeding means may be associated with any preferred type 9t covering machine wherein a box-form for supporting the b0Xshell is employed and I wish it understood that the present showing is only by way of example and not intended to be in the nature of a limitation.

In the particular type of covering ma chine illustrated in Fig. 1, there is embodied among other mechanisms, a vertically reciprocating box-form a, which may be of any desired construction and configuration, depending upon the type of box to be covered, the said form being adapted to support and carry the box-shell a; into cooperative association with suitable coveror wrapper applying instrumentalities. The latter, in the instance shown, may consist of two pairs of spaced apart covering applying rollers 7), 7), one pair, 7/,being arranged below and at right angles to the other; two pairs of end-lap turn-in wings located between the two pairs of cover applying rollers, and two pairs of edge tuckin blades-or fingers I], located below the lower pair of rollers 7). the said blades or fingers operating to tuck the marginal edges of the covering blank or wrapper over the upper edge of the side walls of the box-shell as is well understood in the art. The machine also embodies a movable platen c, ,with which the box-form a, cooperates, these two members operating to clamp the boxshell with its covering blank or wrapper up, but with their bottom and side walls canted or inclined relative to the bottom and side walls of the box-form, the said advancing movement continuing until the boxshell brought directly, under the boxform with one end of the latter extending into one end of the shell and a canted sidewall ot the shell in engagement with a side wall of the form, whereupon continued relative movement between the parts causes the canted shell to be lifted bodily and automatically directly upon the form, as more clearly shown in full lines in Fig. 12, after which the form descends carrying its boxshell first into contact with the platen c,

upon which the coveringblank has been placed and then through the several cover applying instrumentalities for the stated purpose. the several cover applying steps or operations being then performed by suitable mechanism, such tor instance, as that illustrated more or less conventionally in Fig. 1.

Any preferred means maybe employed for supporting and advancing the box-shell in an inclined or canted position toward the box-form to bring about the described operations and obtain the stated objects, but I prefer to provide a construction that will permit of a bodily pivotal or upwardly swinging movement of the box-shell immediately a canted or inclined side wall of the box-shell engages a side wall of the boxform.

The box-shell supporting and advancing means according to the present en'ibodiment ot' the invention consists of two spaced apart members shown in the form of blocks 20, between which an end of the box-shell a: is placed by hand, the said members or blocks being spaced apart a distance corresponding substantially to the width of the boxshell to be covered and operating to support the latter in such a way that the lower canted end of the box-shell will be free to swing upwardly in a pivotal manner. Preferably the adjacent faces of the respective blocks are provided with yielding means for engaging the opposite side walls of the box-shell. said yielding means in the instance shown consisting of balls or rollers 21 normally urged outward by means of springs 22, as

lid

more clearly shown in Fig. 7. The yielding I balls or rollers constitute a means for sup porting the box-shell in such a way that.

Each block is preferably provided on that face carrying the balls or rollers 21 with a combined box rest and lifting member shown in the present instance in the form of a plate 23, pivoted at 24 to the block 20. A spring 25, Fig. 6, connected at one end to the pivot 2 1 of the plate and at its other end to a part of the block serves to normally maintain the front edge 26 of the'plate in proper position relative to the block to support the box-shell in a normally inclined or canted mounted a block 30 having position and to permit of a swinging movement of the plate on its pivot to effect a bodily lifting movementof the box-shell at theproper time, as when a wall of the box engages a Wall of the box-form, all as will hereinafter more clearly appear.

As shown in Fig. 4, the box-shell a: when in properposition between the supporting members or blocks, is engaged on two opposite faces or walls by the said blocks while a rear face or wall rests against and is supported adjacent the corners of the shell by the pivoted lifting plates 23.

Any suitable means may be employed for carrying and advancing the box supporting members or blocks in order to carry the boxshell supported thereby into cooperative relation with the box-form a. In the presentembodiment of the invention I have shown this means as consisting of a reciprocating carriage 27 moving between parallel guides 28 supported upon apart .of the machine frame. The carriage is provided with a standard 29, upon which is 'adjustably outwardly extending arms 31 upon each of which is mounted a bar 32 each carryin one of the blocks 20, the bars 32 being a justable toward and from each other upon the arms 31, as more clearly shown in Fig. 2, this adjustment being provided to adapt the box-shell supporting members'or blocks for use in connection with box-shells of different sizes.

The carriage27 may be reciprocated tobox-form a, by any suitable means, which means in the instance shown, consists of a lever 33 having a link connection 34 with the carriage 27 the lever being oscillated about its pivot 35 by means of a link 36 connected to a pivoted arm 37, which arm is actuated by means of a cam 38 mounted upon a driven shaft 39 of the machine. A spring 40 is connected to the lever 33 in such a way asto normally maintain the carriage 27 in its retracted position, or' in the position shown 1n Figs. 1 and 2, which is thebox- Sllcll receiving positlon.

I prefer to provide means associated with the box-shell supporting members or blocks upon which the bottom of the box-shell may rest when placed between the said support ing members or blocks, in order to initially hold and support the box-shell in an inclined or canted position relative to the box-form a, in'order to 'carry out the objects of the invention. This means may be of any preferred construction. In the instance shown, it consists of two fixed inclined supporting fingers 41, each carried by a head 42 adjustably mounted upon a standard 43, which standards extend upward from a part of the machine frame, as more clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The "box supporting fingers 41 are adjustable to accommodate boxes of diiferent depths.

In the operation of the machine assuming the parts to be in the position illustrated in Fig. 1, a box-shell to be covered is placed by hand between the box supporting members or blocks 20 with the bottom of the box resting upon the box-shell supporting fingers 41. When properly positioned the boxshell will be supported in an inclined or canted position as more clearly shown in.

Figs. 1 and 10, 'the lowermost edge of the box-shell being disposed in a plane slightly below the plane of the under face of the boxform a, so that when the box-shell is advanced toward the box-form the said lower edge ofthe box-shell will come right under the box-form with one side or end of the form gradually entering the box-shell during the advancing movement of the latter until the parts assume the position illustrated in Fig. 11. When this position is reached a canted or inclined side wall of the box-shell will engage a vertical side wall of the box-form and further relative movement between the parts, as for instance further movement of the shell toward the form will, by reason of the walls contacting as described, cause a bodily lifting movement to be imparted to the box-shell so as to lift it directly upon the box-form, and this action is assisted by reason of the swinging movement which will be imparted by the pivoted boxshell lifting plates.23 carried by the box supporting members or blocks. When properlyfitted upon the box-form the shell will be retained thereon during the movement thereof, by means of suitably constructed clips a, Figs. 1 and 13.

The box shell having been properly placed upon the box-form as described, the form with this box .thereon now descends and is brought into engagement with the bodyportion ofqa box covering blank, .which has been previously placed upon the platen e. The box with its covering blank is then carried through the first-painof covering rollers Z), which operate to apply the covering blank 7 to two side walls of the box, after which the two pairs of end-lap turn-in wings c, operate to turn in and apply the projecting endlaps of the blank against the end walls of the box. The thus partially covered box is then carried between the two covering rollers I), to apply the remaining portions of the covering blank to the remaining uncovered walls of the box, after which the upstanding marginal edges of the blank are turned over the upper edges of the box-shell by means such as fingers d,and such edges are finally turned downward into and secured to the inner walls of the box-shell to completely cover and produce the finished box. J N 7 It is to be understood of course that the cover'applying instrumentalities for aiiixing the cover blank to the box, as well asthe operative sequence of these parts as herein described, are merely illustrative, and that my improved box-shell feeding means may be associated with box-covering machines having a difi'erent sequence of operations, the showing herein made being only by ;way of illustration.

The term box-shell as herein employed, is used in its broad sense to include a shell that is stayed at its corners as well as a shell that is unstayed, asthe box-supporting and advancing means of the present invention will operate to support and carry a box-shell whether stayed or unstayed. In order to illustrate this I have shown in Fig. 9 how an unstayed ox-shell will appear when placed bet. een the supporting members or blocks 20, the box-shell in this figure being designated by the letters am.

I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the particular mechanism herein shown and described for automatically applying the box-shells directly to the form block of a covering machine, as I am well aware'that other means may be employed for accomplishing the stated object, withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention.

\Vhat I claim is- 1. In a box covering machine, and-in combination, a movable box-form for supporting a box to be covered, cover applying instrumentalities into which the said form is adapted to carry the box and its covering wrapper to have the latter applied thereto, a movable box-shell feeding device constructed to support and carry a box-shell in a canted position to be entered by the said box-form, and means for moving the said feeding device to and from the path of movement of the box-form, the advancing movement operating t bring a canted ,wall of the box-shell into contact with a wall of the plunger whereby to impart a bodily lifting movement to the box-shell to automatically place it upon the box form.

2. In a box covering machine, and in combination, a movable box-form for supporting a box to bev covered, cover applying inporting means for supporting a strumentalities into which the said form is adapted to carry the box and its covering wrapper to have the latter applied thereto, and means for supporting and bodily transporting a box-shell toward the box-form with a canted side wall of the shell in position to engage a side .w-all ofthe form after the latter has partially entered the shell whereby engagement of the parts operates to impart a bodily lifting movement to the shell to automatically place it upon the form.

3. In a box'covering machine and in combination, a box-form, a box-shell freely supporting means for supporting a box-shell in an inclined or canted position relative to the box-form, means for effecting a relative approaching movement between the said form and supporting means to cause the form to. enter the box-shell and a canted or inclined wall of the box-shell to engage a vertical wall of the form and thereby lift, the shell bodily onto the form. 0

4. In a box covering machine'and in combination, a vertically reciprocating box form, and box shell supportingand carryingmeaiis having a movement of translation intersecting the path of movementbf the box form. for carrying and automatically placing a box-shell onto the box form during such translating movement.

5. In a box covering machine and in combination, a movable box form, box-shell supbox in an inclined or canted position, and mechanism for imparting a movement of translation to said supporting means for efl'ecting' a feeding movement of the "box-shell into the path of movement of the box form whereby a canted Wall of the box-shell will be brought into contact with a wall of the box form and the shell thereby lifted bodily onto the form.

6, In a box covering machine and in combination, a vertically reciprocating box form,

a box-shell supporting and feeding means for supporting an open box-shell in an in.- clined or canted position, and mechanism for advancing the supporting means to carry the canted box-shell to a position beneath the box form and a canted inner wall of the box-shell into engagement with a vertical wall of the box form whereby the box-shell will be lifted automatically onto the box I form.

7. In a box covering machine, and in combination, a box-form, and box-shell feeding means for supporting and advancing a boxshell to and for placing the same directly upon the form, said means embodying a pair of Spaced apart members between which the box-shell is freely supported, for bodily tiltthereof in an inclined or canted position with 1 relation'to the side wallsof the form, means] for advancing the supporting means [and box-shell toward the form so thata portion of the latter will enter the box,jandmeans acting upona cantedfwall of they box for thereafter swinging the canted-box to place it directly'on'to the form.

9. In a box'covering machine and in combination, a box-form and a box-shell supporting means therefor, embodying a pair of oppositely disposed spaced apartmembers having yielding facesforyieldingly embracing the opposite walls of a canted or in clined box to permlt free bodily swinging 'movement of the box-shell re1ative =tosa1d v members, and means for moving sald memberstoward and from the box form.

10. In a box covering. machine, and in combination, a box-form, means for supporting and advancing a box-shell in a canted or inclinedposition toward the 'form,

embodying spaced apart members for embracing opposite walls of the box and between which the box may have a" pivotal movement, and means operative upon an exterior wall of the box between the said embraced walls for imparting abodily lifting movement to the box to place the sameidirectly upon the form.

11. In a box covering machine, and in combination, a vertically reciprocating box form, .a box-shell advancing and sup-port ing meansfor supporting and advancing a canted box-shell and for placing it directly upon the form, of oppositely arranged spaced-apart members for embracing oppositeside walls of the box-shell and from between which the comprising a pair of spaced apart blocks for latter may be moved, and means for advancing and retracting said spaced-'apart-memsaid meanspermitting tilting or swinging movement of the box shell relative to and independently-"of its or caus supportingmeans, and mechanism ing the supporting means to carry the canted box-shell to a position beneath the box form the box-shellinto engagement with a verticalwall of the box form'whereby the box-shell and a canted inner wall of bodily on'tothe box form.

said means embodying a. pair box-shell in an inclined in the presence of will be "lifted 13. In a box covering machine and in comblnatlon, a box form for supporting and carrying a box to be covered, box supporting form, said means embodying a pair of adjustably mounted spaced-apart members-for embracing opposite walls of the box-shell vand a pivoted plate carried by eachmember for engaging an external wall of the boxshell to impart. a bodily lifting movement to the box-shell to place it directly onto the box form. v i

'14,; In a boxcovering machine, and in combination, a boxform for supporting and carrying a box to be covered, means for supporting a box-shell in an inclined or canted position relative to the box-form, means for reciprocating the said box-supporting means toward and from the box-form, and stationary means constituting a support for the bottom of the'box-shell when resting between the supporting means.

"15, In a box. covering machine, and in combination, a box-form for supporting and carrying a box to be covered, and box feeding means'for feedng boxes into the machine and for placing them directly upon thebox- 'form, saidfe'eding means embodying a reciprocating member movable toward and from. the path'of movement of the box-form, [and a pair of laterally.

adjustable spaced apart box-supporting members carried by the reciprocating member and between which the box-shell to be coveredmay be removably sustained.

16. In a box covering machine and in combination, a vertically reciprocating boxform for supporting and carrying abox-shell to be covered, a box-shell feeding means for imparting-a bodily swinging orpivotal mov'ement' to the box-shell, and means for 'advanoing'the said blocks toward the boxform tolcause an end of the latter to enter the box-shell one end thereof. In testimony whereof I affix my signaturetwo witnesses. F ERNEST G. RIDER; Witnessesi CARLE. ScuAnrrnn, Sums E. CHI D.

and advancing means for transporting a box-shell to and for placing it upon the box 

